Cowboys overrun the Panthers

The Cowboys saw the return of Robert Lui into the halfback role tonight, however his return was short lived as he picked up a dislocated knee in a tackle. Early diagnosis is that Lui could miss 2-4 weeks of NRL action.

After weeks of inconsitant performances, the Cowboys managed to score four straight tries in the opening 17 minutes. The first points claimed by Kalifa Faifai Loa who was awarded the four-pointer as he jumped and took the ball out of the arms of Dean Whare as they contested the high ball.

In the space of ten minutes the Cowboys posted a further three tries. Kane Linnett all power running through the defence as he busted over off a short pass from Matt Bowen. After seven minutes the Cowboys ahead 10-0.

Dean Whare did not have the best night at fullback for the Panthers as he again failed to defuse the bomb kick from the Cowboys. Antonio Winterstein out jumped Whare in the contest to post the Cowboys third four-pointer. Only minutes later Robert Lui scored his first try since Round 1, 2012 as another mistake from Penrith gifted the halfback his first try.

North Queensland fired quickly straight off the second half kick off as Johnathan Thurston bolted 55 metres with a beautiful dummy-pass to set up Kane Linnett for his second try.The Cowboys held a 30-0 lead only two minutes into the second half.

Clint Newton may have some questions to answer in the match review after being placed on report for contact made to the head of Anthony Mitchell.

A second half saw a host of errors piled on by both sides, the Panthers held to nil with chances going astray throughout the contest.

Next week the Cowboys travel south to Suncorp Stadium to battle the Broncos in a Queensland derby. Meanwhile the Panthers head to the NSW north coast as they face the Newcastle Knights at Hunter Stadium.

Welcome to League Unlimited.com coverage LIVE from 1300SMILES Stadium, tonight it's the Cowboys hosting the Panthers. Some interesting changes for the Cowboys with Robert Lui into the team. Action only minutes away

Kane Linnett is awarded the try after the video referee found no obstruction in the running play. Matt Bowen running off a short pass from Thurston provides the hole run play for Linnett to score the Cowboy second try. Thurston with the conversion attempt adds the extras.North Queensland Cowboys 10-0

9 min:Tom Humble fires long kick down field, Matt Bowen trying to stop the ball with his foot but it rolls over the dead ball line. Cowboys earn a 20 metre restart

Robert Lui scores his first try after coming back into the NRL, he cleaned up another mistake from the Panthers after the Cowboys through Brent Tate created a hole. Cowboys running the Panthers around the park tonight. Thurston is successful with the conversion from right in front.North Queensland Cowboys 22-0

19 min:Penalty to the Cowboys gives the North Queensland side another chance from inside the Panthers half

19 min:The Cowboys make a mistake and on the next play the Cowboys give away a penalty. the Panthers kick up field and start their set just outside the Cowboys 20 metre line.

20 min:Penalty to the Panthers for the Cowboys ruled offside on the goal line. Second chance for points as they look for their first try

22 min:UNFORCED ERROR PENRITH PANTHERSSika Manu makes an unforced error into the tackle as Antonio Winterstein crunched him in the tackle. The Panthers did look for points as Dave Simmons had space on the right side, however no points coming. Play continues with a scrum feed to the Cowboys on their own 10 metre line.

22 min:Penalty awarded to the Cowboys against Nigel Plum for holding down in the ruck, not allowing the ball to be played. Cowboys attacking 20 metres out

24 min:Cowboys looking to spread the ball quickly from the ruck, but a penalty is given for the Panthers jumping off the line too early. Cowboys with a full set inside the Panthers 10 metre line

25 min:UNFORCED ERROR NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYSScott Bolton makes an unforced error as he charged into the Panthers line. Scrum feed packs down for the Panthers on their 10 metre line.

27 min:Brad Tighe is ruled offside at marker and concedes a penalty as a result. Thurston finds the line and will start the set 20 metres from the Panthers goal line

28 min:Dave Simmons is forced to play at the ball off the grubber from Thurston, as a result it's a line drop out. There is injury concern for Robert Lui who was dragged down in a tackle by Blake Austin

32 min:UNFORCED ERROR PENRITH PANTHERSAdam Docker makes an unforced error as charged into defence as he failed to take the short pass from James Segeyaro. The Cowboys pack a scrum feed down on their own 10 metre line

34 min:Penalty to the Cowboys against Anthony Mitchell for laying in the ruck. Panthers with a chance to post points before half time with a set inside the Cowboys 30 metre line.

35 min:James Segeyaro reached out for the goal line next to the posts, but he loses it. Scott Bolton picks up the ball and runs out of the red zone for the Cowboys

40 min:Penalty is awarded to the Cowboys as the half time siren sounds. Penalty goal being taken wide out on the touchline from Thurston

Kane Linnett has his second try after taking a beautiful inside pass from Johnathan Thurston. The play started 55 metres down field as JT busted the line with a solid show and go. He linked with Linnett who dived over for his second. Thurston with the conversion slots the extra pointsNorth Queensland Cowboys 30-0

45 min:Penalty to the Panthers for a hand in the ruck against the Cowboys after the held call. Chance for the Panthers first points, they attack inside the Cowboys 20 metre zone.

47 min:UNFORCED ERROR PENRITH PANTHERSLewis Brown makes an unforced error as he failed to take the quick pass from Dean Whare. Chance again going begging for the Panthers as a scrum packs for the Cowboys

48 min:Anthony Mitchell earns the Cowboys a penalty for James Segeyaro ruled offside at the play of the ball. Cowboys attacking on the Panthers 10 metre line.

49 min:UNFORCED ERROR NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYSTariq Sims makes an unforced error as he steamed onto a short pass from Matt Bowen. He was unable to hold possession, scrum feed packs down for the Panthers on their own 10 metre line.

50 min:UNFORCED ERROR PENRITH PANTHERSBrad Tighe makes an unforced error as he failed to take the quick offload from Blake Austin. A few more errors coming into this game now. Cowboys with a scrum feed on halfway.

52 min:UNFORCED ERROR NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYSKalifa Faifai Loa danced through the Panthers defence and dived for the line but the ball slipped out short of the goal line. Another scrum packs for the Panthers on their own 10 metre line.

53 min:Penalty to the Panthers for the Cowboys markers in Scott Bolton not ruled square.

56 min:Dean Whare is forced over the dead ball line as he collected the perfect kick off the boot from Thurston. As a result it's a line drop out for the Cowboys.

58 min:Matt Bowen fired a cut out pass to his winger in Kalifa Faifai Loa but it's straight over the touchline. Cowboys unable to post more points, Panthers with a scrum feed on their 10 metre line.

60 min:Clint Newton has been placed ON REPORT for contact made to the head of Anthony Mitchell. Penalty given to the Cowboys as they attack inside the Panthers 10 metre line.

61 min:Penalty to the Panthers, they march up over halfway as they still are yet to post their first points

63 min:UNFORCED ERROR PENRITH PANTHERSJames Segeyaro has been ruled to have knocked on as Scott Bolton offloaded the ball in the tackle. Scrum feed to the Cowboys on their 10 metre line.

66 min:Reports from the sideline that Robert Lui could be out for up to FOUR weeks with the dislocated knee

68 min:UNFORCED ERROR PENRITH PANTHERSBlake Austin dropped the low pass out of acting half from James Segeyaro. Errors becoming an issue at the back end of this game as the Cowboys have another scrum deep in their own half

70 min:Josh Mansour breaking free of a tackle and passed away to Blake Austin but it's ruled forward by the officials. Scrum feed for the Cowboys on halfway.

73 min:Kalifa Faifai Loa racing through off the kick of Thurston by Josh Mansour ruled to have played at the ball before it bounced dead. Line drop out called for the Cowboys.

74 min:UNFORCED ERROR NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYSAntonio Winterstein makes an unforced error as he failed to take the long cut out pass from Thurston. Dave Simmons pushing up strong in defence to aid the mistake. Scrum Panthers on their 10 metre line.

76 min:The completion rate for both sides as fallen badly with another mistake from the Cowboys.

77 min:UNFORCED ERROR PENRITH PANTHERSDavid Simmons makes an unforced error as he reached out and juggled the kick from Tom Humble as he rolled over in goal. Cowboys with a scrum feed on their 10 metre line.

78 min:Penalty to the Cowboys with Nigel Plum not releasing in the ruck. Cowboys find touch and attack 30 metres from the Panthers goal line.

79 min:Back to back penalty for the Cowboys with the Panthers ruled offside at the play of the ball. The Cowboys looking for points to close out the game